Vowles hails Albon’s outstanding pace and ‘step-up in confidence’

Alex Albon is firing on all cylinders in 2025, with Williams team principal James Vowles showering the Anglo-Thai racer with rave reviews for his unbreakable confidence and “outstanding pace”.

Sitting eighth in the Drivers’ Championship with 70 points and a string of personal-best finishes – fifth in Australia, Miami, Imola, and the Netherlands – Albon has been a model of consistency.

His results have not only underpinned Williams’ resurgence to fifth in the Constructors’ standings but also cemented his role as team leader alongside Carlos Sainz, a four-time Grand Prix winner.

But for Vowles, Albon’s rise is about more than results – it’s about maturity, clarity, and confidence that have flourished within the supportive environment Williams has built around him.

Outstanding Pace

Reflecting on Albon’s journey during a recent appearance on Formula 1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Vowles praised his driver’s natural speed and evolution as a racer now thriving under pressure.

“I can tell you from the outset he was very quick, but he needed the right forum where the world isn’t questioning his team mates or what’s going on,” said Vowles of Albon’s Williams journey.

“There’s no questioning now. Carlos is absolutely the reference you need.

“Alex, this year, every time there has been a result [available], he’s gone and picked it up. Simple as that. His pace has been outstanding. I think if there’s any doubts, it should be gone by now in people’s minds.”

Albon’s poise and adaptability have earned him plaudits across the paddock – qualities that were once questioned during his turbulent tenure with Red Bull.

Vowles believes his driver’s renewed self-belief has become a key ingredient in Williams’ steady climb back toward competitiveness.

Flying High on Confidence and Belief

Vowles highlighted that the most striking change in Albon this year isn’t just his blistering speed but his mindset.

“I would say the biggest difference I’ve noticed with Alex is a step up in his confidence and belief. That’s the main thing – in the team and in himself at the same time,” he explained.

The Williams chief added that Albon’s composure has become unshakeable, even amid the ups and downs of Formula 1 development.

“Every human being goes through cycles where they’re more or less confident in themselves and the car and what goes around,” he added.

“You cannot waver Alex one bit this year. Not for a second can you even just push him. He is absolutely confident in what he is doing and what the car is doing around that.

“That doesn’t mean we’re perfect on the car, not by any stretch of the imagination, but his driving force is one of, ‘Fix this, fix this, and I will go faster’, and it’s directing the team in the right way.”

That leadership, Vowles said, has given the engineering group a clear sense of direction and belief — a dynamic crucial to sustaining Williams’ competitive momentum.

A True Team Player

Beyond his own results, Albon has also been instrumental in helping Sainz adapt to life at Williams, demonstrating an openness that speaks to his growing stature as a team leader.

“We have some peculiarities in this car on just how to approach certain corners, but he’s really, really good at vocalising that, and helping Carlos as well – he’s not keeping it for himself,” added Vowles.

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“It’s immediately straight out there, ‘Look at this, this is what I’m doing here’, and then helping the engineers drive the direction of travel. In that way, he’s more vocal than I’ve heard him before and his direction is absolutely spot on.”

As Williams continues its rebuild toward the front of the grid, Albon’s evolution from promising talent to confident team leader appears to be accelerating in perfect sync with the team’s revival.

For Vowles, the evidence is already overwhelming – a driver at the top of his game, radiating belief and leading by example.

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